Study of Sustainable Material Management Approach in Taiwan

• Published in: Water, air & soil pollution: Focus Vol. 9; no. 5-6; pp. 499 - 505
• Main Authors: Su, Ming-Chien, Chou, Chen-Pei, Chen, Yi-Zih
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Dordrecht : Springer Netherlands 01.12.2009; Springer Netherlands
• Subjects: Atmospheric Protection/Air Quality Control/Air Pollution; Earth and Environmental Science; Environment; Hydrogeology; OECD; Taiwan; Sustainable materials management; Waste management; Waste policy
• ISSN: 1567-7230; 1573-2940
• DOI: 10.1007/s11267-009-9241-y

Sustainable material management (SMM) has been initiated by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in 2005. SMM is an approach to promote resource conservation, reducing negative environmental impacts and preserving the natural capital of material and the balance of economic efficiency and social equity. Life cycle assessment and material flow analysis have been widely used to estimate the environmental impacts for resource consumption, but economic development has not been taken into account. Before 1984, improper garbage disposal was not an important issue in Taiwan. But over the past three decades, the Taiwan Government has accomplished not only waste disposal but also resource recycling, which are conducive to the essence of SMM. This study is the first research project to develop a SMM conceptual model for policy and strategy in Taiwan. SMM is the suitable waste management concept for the next era. This study reviewed the policy and strategy that has been applied in Taiwan's waste management, and compares the efficiency of waste management policy in Taiwan with the concept of SMM. A case study of the waste flow will be used to prove that the sustainable material policy can be a suitable management system to achieve sustainable development. This study will open a new chapter of research on global SMM for Taiwan.